Medtronic Inc plans to bolster its presence in China via mergers and acquisitions of local companies, becoming the first multinational medical equipment provider to announce such a strategy in the world's fastest-growing medical device market. Simon Li, vice-president of the US-based company and president of Medtronic Greater China, said that the medical device producer already has some candidates and is still looking for others. He refused to provide names of the potential targets. Medtronic, the largest producer of heart pacemakers in the world, develops and manufactures devices and therapies for more than 30 chronic diseases, including cardiovascular illnesses, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, chronic pain and osteoarthropathy.